February 2013.indd - The Pony Club Branches

Polden Hills Pony Club Newsletter February 2013
Dear All,
This is my first newsletter since being elected DC. I hope you find it interesting and
informative and that it will contribute to the smooth running of our club. Returning to Pony Club
affairs after a long break, has been an experience! I had forgotten how busy and hectic the
round of events and training is, how much business there is for the committee to deal with, and
how every member and parent has their own agenda. The diversity of needs, attitudes and
experiences and the passion we have for our horses do make it a demanding and interesting
club.
Fortunately, I am greatly helped by a good committee, who are working well together. We don’t always
agree on things, but can discuss opposing views and come to a majority decision. We are not perfect, and are
all busy people, so please bear with us. The club also has a strong team of co-ordinators, who are in a frontline
role, and have valuable insight into how the club runs. The main committee will be meeting with the co-ordinators
shortly to discuss the club, including looking at our dress code, costs of training, cancellation fees, etc. I hope this
will be a constructive way to broaden the input to our decision making. At the Parent’s meeting on March 14th, all
parents will have an opportunity to express their views on how the club is run, and we hope to see many of you at
the Piper’s Inn, Ashcott, from 7pm-8.30pm.
This newsletter is full of information on what we have been doing, and the many successes and
adventures of our members and their horses. Please take the time to read, and hang on to it for reference. Let’s
hope 2013 brings lots of opportunities for us all to get outside and enjoy our horses.
My best wishes to you all,
Lucy Workman
Acting DC
**Are you interested in helping run the club?**
Would you enjoy interesting work that makes a big difference for our members?
(We can’t deny it can be frustrating and annoying, but it’s so worth it)
We are looking for help with the following roles:
Merchandise co-ordinator
Senior SJ co-ordinator/ SJ Area Teams co-ordinator
Dressage Area Teams co-ordinator
PLEASE RING LUCY OR LUCY TO FIND OUT MORE
Awards Evening on Saturday February 9th we gathered in Edington Village Hall to celebrate
our member’s achievements during 2012. I am sorry that the Hog Roast did not materialise, that was a hitch
I didn’t know about until the day, but the events team did their best to provide you with good food: my thanks
to Mary Curtis and Sam Small and all those who helped setup and provide refreshments. There was a good
turnout and a great atmosphere, the hall looked the part and it was lovely to see the photos on the big screen.
I hope you all enjoyed the evening. Thank-you to everyone who came along, I enjoyed meeting so many
members and their extended families. I apologise that we missed out some deserving members in nominations
and in receiving badges to recognise representation at Nationals. To prepare for awards next year, I would ask
that all parents keep me informed month by month of their child’s achievements, in and outside the club, and
we will keep good records ready for consideration at the end of this year.
I understand there were a few negative comments floating around social networking sites. I would ask
members to note this guidance from Pony Club headquarters about the use of social networking:
“Social networking sites are an effective way of communicating with young people and for young people to
communicate with each other. However, they must be used correctly. Please see The Pony Club guidance
on the use of social media on our website under Parents & Officials, Health & Safety, Online Safety.
When using social networking sites always conduct yourself in an appropriate way as you would face
to face. Be aware of what you say and how you say it - the use of sarcasm and innuendo are not
appropriate.”

Branch Committee
Acting District Commissioner Lucy Workman 07900 865441 lucyaworkman@gmail.com
Secretary & Membership Lynne Palmer 07812 563795 lynnepalmer2@btinternet.com
Treasurer Phillip Jay 07802 789639 pony@velvetgrove.co.uk
Rallies Co-ordinator
Senior SJ
Events Co-ordinator
Junior Dressage & SJ
Lucy Edmunds 07812 365072
edmunds@esimon22.orangehome.
co.uk
Mary Curtis 07790 735254 curtis.djmv@btconnect.com
Senior Dressage & Child Protection Jayne France 07757 033777 fjayne858@hotmail.co.uk
Health & Safety / Shooting Russell Cox 07970 026582 russellfruitandhoney@gmail.com
Branch Co-ordinators
Intermediate SJ & Dressage Julia Rawlings 07714 697 003 julia.rawlings@hotmail.co.uk
Games Tara Hayes 07714 191684 tarajhayes@hotmail.co.uk
Efficiency Tests Joanna Cox 07940 163974 connectcox@btinternet.com
B test training Wendy Chinnock 01458 792400 chinnocks@googlemail.com
Tetrathlon & Triathlon Claire Ainsworth 07889 192119 aphilclaire@aol.com
Eventing
Venetia Kenney-
Herbert
01934 822170 vkenneyherbert@gmail.com
Swimming Cisca Norris 07812 036664 weeksgreen@btinternet.com
Logistics
Denzil Hayes /
Russell Cox
07974 038764 Through Tara by email
Unmounted Rallies Catherine Bastyan 07841 511295 telandcath@gmail.com
Team SJ Co-ordinator & Merchandise Carolyn Durston 07817 128431 carolyndurston@aol.com
These are the contact details for your committee and co-ordinators. Remember that time is precious and to call at a
reasonable hour. If you have to leave a message, please explain the reason for your call.
Chief Instructor
At the last committee meeting, we elected Jo
Roberts as our Chief Instructor. Jo was a Polden
Hills member for 11 years and has also been a Pony
Club mum for 11 years, with her son being a member
of Quantock Pony Club. This means Jo can offer
valuable insight to Pony Club, both as a member,
and as a parent. Jo recognises the challenge at both
ends of the club, with the Minis needing well qualified
instructors to ensure safety and progression, and our
Seniors requiring high level and specialist training.
Jo is happy to offer advice to members and parents
on a range of issues, such as feeding, nutrition,
bitting etc. We recognise that not all parents are as
experienced as others, so please, if you’re worried
about something, contact Jo. Texting is usually the
best way to contact her on 07970 165148
The club has been running for a while without a Chief
Instructor, and many decisions have had to be made
during that period. We hope that we have held the fort
adequately and that Jo can gently settle into the role.
There may of course, be changes, and we welcome Jo to
the position and look forward to new ideas.
Booking into rallies Until further notice the booking
in procedure remains as follows: Please phone your
coordinator to book in, at least 7 days ahead, and pay
on the night: £5 if you booked in a week in advance,
£7 if you booked in late. Costs of rallies are going to be
discussed at the co-ordinator’s meeting.
Groups are decided with the help of our chief instructor,
who works alongside co-ordinators to plan training. One
issue we have with current groupings, is that rides are
very small. Rallies are mostly subsidised through funds
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we raise, and the smaller the group, the higher the
subsidy. Group sizes, and whether we should cancel
training that is poorly supported, will be discussed at
the co-ordinator’s meeting.
Tack and Turnout
There has been a noticeable drop in
standards of turnout at recent rallies. It
has been very wet, and we understand
that ponies do get muddy, but it is not
acceptable to turn up at a rally with dirty
tack or ponies. Dirty tack is a health risk to ponies,
and is more likely to decay and get broken. Arriving
to a lesson with a muddy pony is disrespectful to the
instructor, and is letting yourself, your pony and the
club down. Polden Hills Pony Club has been known
in the past for it’s high standard of tack and turnout,
so please make the effort to keep up the standards.
Our instructors check tack and turnout at the
beginning of every lesson, and should let you know
if your turnout is poor. Co-ordinators will also remind
parents when appropriate. There are some noteable
exceptions to the deteriorating standards of turnout,
you know who you are: well done, keep it up!
Easter Residential Camp
Residential camp is taking place at a new venue this
year, Pontispool Equine Sports Centre near Taunton,
from the evening of Thursday 11th April through
to Sunday 14th April. We will arrive at 7pm on the
Thursday evening giving all of us and our ponies time
to get settled, so we are ready for a full programme
of activities starting on the Friday morning. We have
a jam-packed programme of riding, demonstrations
and other fun activities, so it is important that ponies
arrive fit as they will be ridden for a minimum of four
hours a day.
You will be put into cabins with your choice of friends
and the camp will be fully catered. Ponies are stabled
on site. The cost of camp is £150 for the first child,
£120 for a second child attending, and £90 for a third
child from the same family attending.
Camp forms have been sent out to all eligible
members, so if you want your child to attend camp,
please can you return the slip with a non refundable
booking deposit of £25 by 1st March. The remaining
fees will be due on the first day of camp. You will
be required to fill out a more detailed form closer to
camp.
Camp is open to members aged 10 years and above
on the first day of camp. All horses attending camp
must have current flu/tet vaccinations.
Could you be stable manager at camp? If you
feel you have good horse care knowledge, are well
organised and can be assertive with our members,
why not give it a try? Please call Joanna Cox to find
out more about the role. 07940 163974
Presentations at the Awards Evening:
All members received a cloth badge and a date
badge for their sweatshirts. Those who have
represented the club at National level received a
cloth badge. Open SJ Individual: Anna East. Novice
SJ Team: Jess Bartlett, Grace Bishop, Annabelle Jay and
Tash Puddy. Novice Dressage Team:Jen Cox, Charlotte
Day, Holly Jackson and Annabelle Jay. Novice Eventing
Individuals: Annabelle Jay and Tash Puddy.
Junior cup: Kerri Curtis
Intermediate cup: Chloe Small
Senior cup: Tasha Puddy
Jo Brooks cup for Effort & Improvement: Awarded
jointly to Mitch Bastyan and Ashley Palmer
Junior SJ cup: Emily Billing
Senior SJ cup: Annabelle Jay
Junior dressage cup: Lara Jay
Senior dressage cup: Lauren Brookes
Eventing cup: Grace Bishop
Shooting: Katy Durston
Junior Tri: Lucy Pitman
Senior Tri: Harry France
Junior Tet: Flo Norris
Senior Tet: Will Cox
Games: Molly Spraggon (Juniors),
Anna Forrester (Seniors)
Many different factors contribute to deciding on these
awards such as the member’s commitment to the club,
their attitude to others and their horse, overcoming
problems and riding achievements both in and outside of
the club. Congratulations to all of you, and my apologies
to those who missed out on a mention on the night.
Avon Vale Triathlon at Stonar School
On this glorious sunny day four children held the Polden
Hills flag very high and certainly put the club on the map
- Josh Cobb and Cisca Norris were competing in the
Biathlon class and
finished 1st and
2nd individually
(Josh 1st and Cisca
2nd). Josh won the
swimming phase
closely followed by
Cisca who was just
2 metres behind.
They both then
sprinted around the
600 metre running course, with Josh gaining the second
quickest time of the day. They both did superbly well and
as well as their individual rosettes and medal their team
(a mixture of Polden Hills and West Wilts) finished 1st
too.
Flo had a very good day against some tough opposition
and finished in 12th place individually after a very good
run phase, with her team finishing in 5th place.
Sam had a wonderful day scoring over the magic 1000
points in both the swimming and running phases (the
only competitor in his class to do so). He finished 2nd in
the swimming with a personal best of 135 metres in the
2 minutes and won the running phase with a great run of
3.53 minutes over the 1000 metres course. He finished in
2nd place overall and has gained a place at the National
Pony Club Triathlon Championships in Milton Keynes
on 17th March 2013 - a super achievement considering
he is 2 years younger than most of his competitors and
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still has another 2 years (after this one) to
compete in the same age group!
Katie Cobb
PHPC Dates:
Junior Camp - July 31st - 4th Aug more
information to follow. Keep an eye on the
website.
Proper camping camp!
This is to be held on w/c 12th August for 2 days/1 night
(under canvas!), date yet TBC. It will be held at Catcott
Burtle Farm, Burtle by kind permission of Richard &
Rosemary Tucker (weather permitting!). It will be like the
‘old fashioned’ camp, with lots of games, riding with no
saddles etc (for any older members Kim Tripp used to
organise something similar several years ago). It should
be great fun, involving all of the club from seniors to
juniors. I will be working closely with Venetia and Kim to
get ideas.
Lucy Edmunds
The Eventer’s
show-jumping
held at King’s
Sedgemoor
Equestrian Centre
was an extremely
successful day which
everyone seemed to
enjoy. The change
of venue was good
and is in the heart of our area. Parking was very good.
The different jumps and slightly different course was
great. The day was obviously helped by the sunshine.
Unfortunately numbers were down by just over fifty
on previous years, possibly due to the split half term.
We appeared to have lost Tiverton Pony Club and the
Taunton Vale Pony Club due to this, but we did gain
Mendip. Thanks to everyone who helped out with running
this event, we raised over £800 and provided a great
opportunity for competitive riding.
Polden Hills results
Class 1: 1st team Polden Hills - Kerri Curtis (best
member) 4th, Sam Cobb 6th, Milly Chapman, Emily
Billing
Class 2: 2nd team Polden Hills - Dan Cox, Lara Jay,
Alice Satchell, Ashley Palmer (best member) 4th
individual 5th place Hannah Doyle
Class 3: 6th team - Will Cox (best member), Mitch
Bastyan, Charlotte Day, Annabelle Jay
Class 4: 3rd team - Anna East 4th, Charlotte East 2nd
(best member), Charlotte Day, Annabelle Jay
4th team - Anna East, Charlotte East, Annabelle Jay,
Tash Puddy
First Aid - if any parents are qualified first aiders and
are willing to help out at events, please let us know. We
can sponsor training if anyone is interested, in return
for duties at a number of events. It would also be good
to know how many parents have done a Pony Club
accreditation course in the last two years. Let Lynne
know.
Area Dates:
Tetrathlon July 14th/15th Stonar School
Eventing July 21st Pontispool
Dressage July 28th Weston Harriers
Showjumping July 31st Polden HIlls
HSBC XC training day 5th April Pontispool
(contact Liz Dorse)
Communications:
Like any modern organisation, we use email to
communicate. It’s a very useful tool, but does need
to be kept in check. Please do not expect responses
to queries to bounce back like a rubber ball. It is
reasonable to have a life outside Pony Club, so expect
responses to take three or four days. If your query is
more urgent, use the phone. I am aware that we are
also sending out a huge amount of emails, and we are
working on ways to reduce the volume. Any parent who
would like to send an email to all members, or a group
of members, please send the email to Lynne, copying
in Lucy Workman, and Lynne will forward it for you.
Lynne is currently setting up her email system, with a
new address for pony club work:
poldenhillsponyclub@gmail.com
B-test training
Wendy Chinnock has set up a training programme for
all members who have passed their C or C+ test, to
begin preparation for their B test. Please remember
the demands of the B test are very high, and it can
take a few years to progress to that standard. For more
information, contact Wendy on 01458 792400
The National Schools Equestrian Association
area qualifier for jumping with style was held at Millfield
junior school on Sunday 24th Feb. Too many PHPC
members competed to be named, but the highlights
were: In the 70cm class Wellington school team
including Lara Jay came 5th, in the 80cm class Flo
Norris came 2nd and Annabelle Jay 5th as individuals,
and even better news for PHPC was that under the
watchful eye of their Chef d’Equipe Jo Roberts one of
the Crispin School teams came 2nd. The team was
Sophie Edmunds, Jen Cox, Charlie France and Alice
Nunn of the Quantock PC.
Phillip Jay
Polden Hills Pony Club
TACK SALE
27th March, 2013
Meadway Hall, Ham Lane
Compton Dundon, Nr Somerton TA11 6PQ
Doors open 7pm
Everyone welcome : Entry 50p
Refreshments, Hot Food, Cakes
Tables £5
FOR MORE INFORMATION or TO BOOK A TABLE:
Please contact
Julia on 07714 697003 julia.rawlings@hotmail.co.uk or
Sam 07968 075436 samsmallpc@btinternet.com
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Junior Committee
Chairman – Katy Chinnock
Secretary – Lucy Eccles
Treasurer – Becca Cox and Charlotte Day
Website Editor – Ashley Palmer
Newsletter – Chloe Small and Sophie Edmunds
As you may already know, Polden Hills have decided
to re-establish their Junior Committee. This is so that
members of the club can get more of a say of what
happens in the club, organise events that they wish
to happen, raise money for the Pony Club, and also
socialise with other members, including members from
other age groups.
Our first challenge was to entertain and organise
around 30 younger members of the club at the
Christmas Unmounted on the 18th December at
Stawell Village Hall. The committee members arranged
a meeting on the 20th November and decided on the
games they’d think the younger members of the club
would enjoy, which included things such as: making
your own hobby horse in teams and racing around an
obstacle course, having to cut up and eat as much
chocolate as possible with a knife and fork whilst
wearing a hat, gloves and scarf, and apple bobbing
followed by searching for maltesers in a pile of flour!
These games all proved popular with the members
who participated. After the Christmas Unmounted we
had another meeting on the 6th February where it
was agreed that there was a lack of Senior members
attending, and therefore we are now trying to get more
Senior members involved.
Our first fundraising event took place on the 14th
February at King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre,
where we catered for our Eventers Show-Jumping
Competition. At the awards evening we asked parents
and members if they would kindly donate cakes for our
stall at Eventers so we could sell them to raise money
for the club. Many of you donated cakes, and we also
sold burgers, hot dogs, bacon rolls and hot and cold
drinks. A special thank you to Wendy and Denzil who
worked on the barbeque all day. Thank you to everyone
who contributed with either helping run the stall or
donated cakes. We raised £143 which is a great profit.
Upcoming Events
27th March – Tack Sale at Meadway Hall, Compton
Dundon. At our last meeting, it was discussed that
the Junior Committee would set up their own table at
the Tack Sale, and get members to donate any old
jodhpurs, horsey clothing, tack or books, rugs, or just
general horsey items which could be sold to raise
money for the club. If you have any old horsey items
lying around which you would be happy to donate, we
would be very grateful if you could bring them to the
tack sale, or pass them onto someone else who is
attending.
Chloe Small and Sophie Edmunds
Tetrathlon and Triathlon
We have a number of members that take part in
Triathlons. They are an excellent way of socialising for
the children and the parents. The parents take great
pleasure in cheering their children on while they are
swimming and running. It is a really good, fun day out
and an excellent way of making new friends in the Pony
Club. As the Triathlons don’t have a riding phase, they
are ideal for members that are non-horsey and they
are a great way for those members that ride to practise
for the Tetrathlons that start at the end of the Triathlon
season. All members are welcomed and all ages and
abilities are catered for, so no previous experience is
necessary.
Triathlons consist of three phasess: shooting,
swimming and running. Competitors need to be eight
years old or over on the day of the competition. Some
clubs hold Biathlons which consist of swimming and
running, these are open to the under eights. Triathlons
run from September right through to April.
Tetrathlons consist of four phases: cross-country riding,
shooting, swimming and running. Swimming practise is
at the main Millfield pool on a Wednesday night, during
term time, at 6.30pm. Please contact Cisca Norris
07812 036664 for more information. Shooting practise
is at Russell and Jo Cox’s, Fruit & Honey Farm, Stawell,
on a Thursday evening. You do not need a gun as the
club can provide them. Claire Ainsworth co-ordinates
the Tets and Tris, her number is 07889 192119
Lou Lou and Dipper, an ex-Polden Hills pony
now having a wonderful time doing Riding for
the Disabled.

Polden Hills
DC: Lucy Workman 07900 865441 Sec: Lynne Palmer 07812 563795 Rallies: Lucy Edmunds 07812 365072 Events: Mary Curtis 07790 735254 Child Prot: Jayne France H&S: Russell Cox 07970 026582
Year Planner
PP=Pontispool SLM=Stockland Lovell WLF=Wood Lane Farm KSEC=King's Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre MF=Millfield F&HF=Fruit & Honey Farm
Key:
All day event Birthday Holidays School Sport Work
2013
April
May
June
July
August
September
Mon 1
1 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
Mon
Tue 2
2
Tue
Wed 3
1 6.30pm Swimming MF
3 6.30pm Swimming MF
Wed
Thu 4 Area Junior Competition
2 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
4 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
1 Junior Camp
Thu
Fri 5 Area XC training day PP
3
5
2 Junior Camp
Fri
Sat 6
4
1
6
3 Junior Camp
Sat
Sun 7 Fun Rally (Lucy E)
5
2 Silverton PC ODE
7
4 XC Rally (Pedwell) Junior Camp 1
Sun
Mon 8
6
3 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
8
5
2
Mon
Tue 9
7
4
9
6
3
Tue
Wed 10
8 6.30pm Swimming MF
5 6.30pm Swimming MF
10 6.30pm Swimming MF
7
4
Wed
Thu 11 Senior Camp PP
9 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
6 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
11 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 8 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 5 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
Thu
Fri 12 Senior Camp PP
10
7
12
9
6
Fri
Sat 13 Senior Camp PP
11 WHPC Team SJ SLM
8
13
10
7
Sat
Sun 14 Camp - WSPC Team SJ SLM 12
9
14 Area Tet
11
8
Sun
Mon 15 School Term starts
13
10
15 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
12 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
9 Eventer's Rally (Venetia) Mon
Tue 16
14
11
16
13
10
Tue
Wed 17 6.30pm Swimming MF
15 6.30pm Swimming MF
12 6.30pm Swimming MF
17 6.30pm Swimming MF
14
11
Wed
Thu 18 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
16 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 13 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 18 7pm Shooting (F&HF) 15 7pm Shooting
12 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
Thu
Fri 19
17
14
19
16 Area Champs
13
Fri
Sat 20
18 VSVH SJ Comp. (SLM)
15
20
17 Area Champs
14
Sat
Sun 21
19
16
21 Area Eventing Comp. (PP) 18 Area Champs
15 Gym Jump
Sun
Mon 22
20 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
17 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
22
19 Area Champs
16
Mon
Tue 23
21
18
23
20
17
Tue
Wed 24 6.30pm Swimming MF
22 6.30pm Swimming MF
19 6.30pm Swimming MF
24
21
18
Wed
Thu 25 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 23 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
20 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
25 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 22 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 19 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
Thu
Fri 26
24
21
26
23
20
Fri
Sat 27
25
22 PHPC Open Show
27
24
21
Sat
Sun 28
26 Mendip Team SJ (SLM)
23
28 Area Dressage comp.
25
22
Sun
Mon 29
27 Half Term
24
29 Eventer's Rally (Venetia)
26 XC Rally PP (Lucy E)
23
Mon
Tue 30
28
25
30 Area SJ (Sally East)
27
24
Tue
Wed 29
26 6.30pm Swimming MF
31 Junior Camp
28
25
Wed
Thu 30 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E) 27 6pm Evening Rally (Lucy E)
29 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
26 7pm Shooting (F&HF)
Thu
Fri 31
28
30
27
Fri
Sat 29
31
28
Sat
Sun 30 Avon Vale Horse Trials
29
Sun
Mon 30
Mon
Tue Tue
April
May
June
July
August
September
Sum
Easter Holidays
Summer Holidays
Summer Holidays
Half term
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